Foldable ski-bob

ABSTRACT

A ski-bob that is collapsible from its normal operating configuration to a folded configuration comprises a central frame section having a seat with a front frame section including a steering column and a rear frame section connected to opposite ends of the central frame section. A front steering ski is pivotally connected to the steering column and a rear ski is pivotally connected to the rear frame section which includes a resilient shock absorber. The frame is flexible to a degree that the front ski will extend forwardly from the rear ski in response to weight applied to the seat, a factor which increases running stability.

United States Patent Eaton [54] FOLDABLE SKI-BOB [72] Inventor: Earl V. Eaton, Petaluma, Calif.

[73] Assignce: George E. Garcla, Novato, Calif.

[22 Filed: Feb. 25, 1970 [2|] Appl. No.: 13,923

[ Feb. 1,1972

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 273,680 11/1968 822,351 ll/l95l Austria ..280/l6 Germany ..280/ l 6 [5 7] ABSTRACT A ski-bob that is collapsible from its normal operating configuration to a folded configuration comprises a central frame section having a seat with a front frame section including a steering column and a rear frame section connected to opposite ends of the central frame section. A front steering ski is pivotally connected to the steering column and a rear ski is pivotally connected to the rear frame section which includes a resilient shock absorber. The frame is flexible to a degree that the front ski will extend forwardly from the rear ski in response to weight applied to the seat, a factor which increases running stability.

17 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENIEMB H972 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR. EARL V. EATON 'AToNYs PATENIEB FEB 1m: 363 350 sum 2 or 2 F-IG .8

- ATTONE FOLDABLE SKI-BOB This invention relates to snow vehicles utilizing ski-type runners and more particularly to a ski-bob that is collapsible to a smaller package when not in use.

Ski-bobs are snow vehicles which, generally speaking, comprise a front, steerable ski-type runner and a longitudinally aligned rear ski runner attached to a frame so that the rider can operate it from a seated position. One disadvantage with such ski-bobs heretofore devised was that they were relatively large and cumbersome to transport, a factor that made shipping expensive but more importantly limited their use. Depending on the facilities available skiers are carried up the slopes by various means such as chair lifts, trams and the like. In their normal operating configuration, ski-bobs of the prior art were difficult, if not impossible, to carry on different lift apparatus, particularly trams or gondolas, simply because they were difficult to handle and took up too much space.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved ski-bob that can be folded or collapsed from its normal operating configuration to a configuration that is relatively compact and easy to handle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a skibob that can be folded from an operating configuration to a smaller compact configuration rapidly and easily without removing or disassembling any parts that can get lost.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved ski-bob having a frame that will vary the spacing between its forward ski runner and its rear ski runner in response to the weight load of the rider applied to the seat and acting through a rear frame member. This important feature causes the front ski to extend forwardly when the ski-bob hits bumps or moguls or when it is in a turn and centrifugal force causes the rider to exert more force on the seat. As the front ski extends farther forward it increases stability particularly in turns and thereby increases the performance potential of the ski-bob.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a skibob whose front and rear skis will tend to stay aligned when the ski-bob is being carried in the operating configuration.

Another object of my invention is to provide a ski-bob that is collapsible from an operating configuration to a collapsed or folded configuration and yet is particularly well adapted for ease and economy of manufacture.

The above and other objects of my invention are achieved by a ski-bob comprising a jointed frame including a central section to which a seat is attached. Pivotally connected to the rear end of the central frame section is a rear frame section whose lower end is pivotally connected to a rear ski runner. The rear frame section includes telescoping members in combination with a spring so that its length is variable depending on the weight or force applied to the seat. A frame strut is pivotally connected at one end to the rear ski runner at the base of the rear frame section, and its other end is detachably connected to a latch on the central frame section. A front frame section is also pivotally connected to the central frame section at its front end and is provided with a locking means that can hold it in the normal operating position or release it when the ski-bob is to be folded. Within the front framesection is a rotatable steering port whose upper end is connected to handle bars and whose lower end is pivotally connected to a front ski runner. The forward tip of the rear ski runner is connected by a resilient member to the lower end of the steering post, which causes the rear ski runner to follow closely the terrain profile over which the ski-bob is traveling.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a ski-bob embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation showing the ski-bob of FIG. 1 in the process of being manipulated from the normal operating configuration to the folded position;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation showing the ski-bob of FIG. I in the completely folded position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of the rear frame section;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in section takenalong line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of the central frame section showing the strut lock;

FIG. 7 is a plan view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation and partially in section showing the front frame section and its connection with the central frame section; and 4 FIG. 9 is a view in section taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

With reference to FIG. 1, a ski-bob 10 is shown which, according to the principles of the present invention, is foldable from its normal operating configuration to relatively small collapsed configuration, thereby greatly facilitating ease of carry,- ing and shipping. Generally the ski-bob comprises a frame assembly including a central section 12 to the rear end of which is pivotally connected a rear frame section 14 and to the front end of which is pivotally connected a front frame section 16. A rear ski runner 18 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the rear frame section and a somewhat shorter front ski runner 20 is pivotally connected to a lower end section 22 of a steering column 24 that is rotatably supported within the front frame section. An important part of the frame assembly is a supporting strut 26 which is pivotally mounted at its lower end on the rear ski runner. This strut extends upwardly and. .l forwardly from the rear frame section and is pivotally mounted at its upper end in a latch 28 fixed to the central frame section. The latch retains the strut during normal operation but will release it when the ski-bob is to be folded. The front frame section includes a rearwardly extending yoke member 30 to which the front end of the central frame section 12 is connected. A releasable locking nut 32 is utilized to hold the central frame rigidly to the yoke member 30 when the ski-bob is in its normal operating configuration. The lower end section 22 of the steering column is connected by an extensible, resilient member 34 to the front end of the rear ski runner 18. This member tends to hold the rear ski runner flat against the snow surface, thereby causing it to follow closely the terrain over which the ski-bob is traveling even though it may include many irregularities or moguls. It also keeps the front and rear ski runners aligned when the ski-bob is being carried while in the operating configuration.

In FIGS. 4-9, the elements of my ski-bob which provide its foldability as well as other features are shown in greater detail. The central frame section 12 is preferably made from tubular metal material such as aluminum having a substantially square cross section. Fixed near its rear end is a bearing support 36 having a length approximately equal to the width of the frame section and mounted within this support is a pin 38. (See FIG. 5). The rear frame section 14 includes an upper member 40 having a square tubular cross section with an inner wall portion cut away along an edge 42 so that portions of its opposite sidewalls 44 will fit around the sides of the central frame section. The pin 38 extends through holes 46 on the opposite sidewalls 44 and locking nuts 48 are secured to its threaded ends. Thus, the rear frame section is fully pivotal on the central frame section without any restraint. Within the upper rear frame member 40 is a coil spring 50 whose upper end is secured to a pin 52 that extends through the opposite front and rear walls 54 of the rear frame member. The lower end of the spring 50 is fixed to or bears against the upper end of a lower rear frame member 56 that extends upwardly a substantial distance (e.g., 4 to 6 inches) within the upper rear frame member. A pin 58 fixed within said upper rear frame member between its sidewalls 44 also extends through a pair of longitudinal slots 60 near the upper end of the lower rear frame member, thereby providing a guide means for movement of the lower rear frame member 56 is sized to provide a slidable fit with the upper frame member 40 so that relative movement of these two members occurs with little friction. The lower end of the lower rear frame member is pivotally connected by a pin 62 which is journaled in a bracket 64 fixed to the rear ski runner.

The strut 26 may be a rodlike member whose lower end is connected to a transverse pin 66 that is also journaled to the bracket 64. A similar transverse pin 68 is connected to the upper end of the strut and is removably held in place by the latch 28 when the ski-bob is in its normal operating configuration. The latch 28, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, comprises a pair of hook-shaped plates 70 that are fixed to the sides of the central frame section 12. Lower finger portions 72 of these plates extend forwardly under the central frame section and form slots 74 within which the strut pin 68 can fit. A pair of locking members 76 are pivotally connected at one end to a bolt 78 that extends through the plates and the central frame section. These locking members 76 are free to rotate about the bolt 78 and normally the free end 80 of each member rests against an outwardly extending portion 82 on each latch finger portion 72. In this position the locking members are positioned across the slots 74 and thus serve to retain the strut pin 68 within the slots. By pushing both locking members 76 upwardly, this pin and thus the strut 26 can easily be released from the latch.

As shown in FIG. 8, the yoke 30 on the front frame section 16 comprises a pair of triangular-shaped metal plates 84 that may be welded or otherwise secured to its opposite sidewalls. A central web portion 85 extending across the top edges of the plates 84 forms a channellike pocket within which the front end of the central frame fits with an easy sliding clearance. The front end of the central frame section is pivotally connected to the yoke by a pin 86 that extends transversely through it and is-joumaled in the plates 84. When the top surface of the central frame section is flush against the yoke web portion 85, these two members are held together by the locking nut 32 which is threadedly seated in a self-locking retainer 88 fixed inside the central frame section 12.

The front frame section 16 preferably has a square tubular cross section through which extends the steering column 24, which may have a circular cross section. A pair of handle bars 90 of conventional configuration are connected to a cylindrical neck member 92 which extends downwardly within the tubular steering column 24. The neck member 92 and thus the handle bars are firmly but removably connected to the steering column 24 by means such as a bolt 96. At its lower end below the front frame section 16, the steering column 24 is fixed to its lower end section 22 which is preferably similar in cross section to the front frame section 16. The steering column is held firmly to this lower end section by a pair of bolt members 98 and 100 that extend transversely through the end section 22 and the column 24, each being secured at one end by a nut. At its rear end, the bolt member 98 has a hook por tion to which the resilient member 34 from the rear ski runner is connected during normal operation of the ski-bob. The lower bolt member 100 has a hook or eye portion on its inner end to which is connected one end of a spring 102 whose other end is connected to a hook member 104 fixed to the front ski runner 20. The lower end section 22 of the steering column is pivotally connected by a pin 106 which is journaled in a bearing support 108 fixed to the front ski runner.

The ease with which one person can quickly fold the ski-bob for hand carrying or for shipping purposes as illustrated in FIGS. 13. Only two points on the frame require a minor manipulation to accomplish this. First, the locking nut 32 in the yoke is backed off so that it is released from its retainer 88 in the central frame section. Now, the locking members 76 are pivoted upwardly so that the upper pin 68 of the strut 26 can be moved out of the slots 74 of the latch 28. As seen in FIG. 2, the strut can now rotate downwardly about its lower pin 66 to lie on the top of the rear ski runner 18, while the front frame section 16 pivots about the bolt 78 so as to come under the central frame section 12. This places the forward ski runner on top of the rear ski runner, and as shown in FIG. 3, the skibob assumes a highly compact and easily carryable package. To hold the ski-bob together in the folded configuration, the resilient member 34 is drawn up an around the handle bars and then backwardly around the yoke member 30. When held together in this manner the ski-bob can be carried in various ways without tending to fold outwardly until the resilient member is released. To unfold the ski-bob and extend it into the running configuration the aforesaid steps are merely reversed.

Another important feature of my ski-bob, also derived from its unique frame construction as described above, is that the force produced by a rider will cause the forward ski runner to move ahead slightly under certain running conditions and thereby increase speed and stability capabilities.

As shown in FIG. 1, an elongated seat 110 is attached to a rear portion of the central frame section 12 which is preferably bent slightly so that the rear portion slopes downwardly a slight amount relative to a front portion. The weight of the rider on the seat is normally almost directly above the rear frame section 14. This weight compresses the spring 50 within the rear frame section, thereby allowing it to shorten as the frame members 40 and 56 telescope. This in turn causes the strut 26 to push forward on the latch 28 and thus on the central frame section. This also causes the front ski runner 20 tomove forwardly a significant amount with respect to the rear ski runner 18, as shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 1. By thus moving forwardly, a greater distance occurs between the tip of the front ski and the rear end of the rear ski, and this factor plus the fact that the riders center of gravity is lower provides increased stability. The aforesaid articulation of the frame as just described, occurs mainly when the ski-bob is going over bumps or moguls and also in turns where a substantial centrifugal force is created by the rider. In both of these instances, the increased stability is highly advantageous and allows my ski-bob 10 to be driven at increased speeds and yet with relative safety.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

lclaim:

1. A foldable ski-bob comprising:

a central frame section;

a rear frame section pivotally connected to the rear end of said central frame section and having a rear ski runner connected to its lower end;

a first releasable locking means for holding said rear frame section in a predetermined position relative to said central frame section;

a front frame section pivotally connected to the front end of said central frame section for movement in a common plane therewith about an axis transverse to the plane;

a second releasable locking means for holding the front end of said central frame section in a predetermined position relative to said front frame section; and

a steering column with handle bars on its upper end rotatably supported by said front frame section and having a front ski runner pivotally connected to its lower end.

2. The ski-bob as described in claim 1 wherein said second releasable locking means comprises a yoke member fixed to said front frame section and extending rearwardly therefrom, pin means on said yoke member forming the pivotal connection of the front end of said central frame section thereto and a threaded locking nut located rearward of said pin means, said nut extending through said yoke member and retained in said central frame section.

3. The ski-bob as described in claim 1 wherein said rear frame section comprises a pair of telescoping members, and a coil spring connected to one of said telescoping means adapted to compress and resiliently resist a downward force applied to said central frame section by a rider of the ski-bob.

4. The ski-bob as described in claim 1 wherein said front frame section comprises a hollow tubular member with said steering column extending therethrough, a lower end member fixed to the lower end of said steering column having substantially the same cross section as said hollow tubular member, and yoke means extending transversely from said tubular member and having generally a channel-shaped cross section.

5. The ski-bob as described in claim 4 including an elongated, flexible and resilient member connected between said lower end section on said steering column and the front end of said rear ski runner.

6. The ski-bob as described in claim 1 wherein said central frame section is bent slightly to form a rear portion that slopes downwardly in the opposite direction from an integral front portion.

7. The ski-bob described in claim 1 including a tension spring extending between the front frame section and the front ski runner rearwardly of its pivotal connection to the front frame section.

8. The ski-bob described in claim 1 wherein the first releasable locking means comprises a strut member pivotally connected at its lower end near the lower end of said rear frame section and releasable means for retaining its upper end on said central frame section.

9. A foldable ski-bob comprising:

a central frame section;

a rear frame section pivotally connected to the rear end of said central frame section and having a rear ski runner connected to its lower end;

a first releasable locking means for holding said rear frame section in a predetermined position relative to said central frame section;

a front frame section pivotally connected to the front end of said central frame section;

a second releasable locking means for holding the front end of said central frame section in a predetermined position relative to said front frame section; and

a steering column with handle bars on its upper end rotatably supported by said front frame section and having a front ski runner pivotally connected to its lower end, said first releasable locking means comprising a strut member pivotally connected at its lower end near the lower end of said rear frame section and releasable latch means for retaining its upper end on said central frame section.

10. A ski-bob comprising:

a central frame section provided with a seat, a telescoping rear frame section pivotally connected to said central frame section at its upper end and pivotally connected to a rear ski runner at its lower end;

said seat being supported on said rear frame section;

a front frame section pivotally connected to said central section for movement in a common plane therewith about an axis transverse to the plane;

a rotatable steering assembly supported by said front frame section having handle bars at its upper end and a front ski runner at its lower end;

and means extending between said central frame section and the lower end of said rear frame section for moving said front ski runner forwardly of said rear ski runner when a downward force is applied to said seat.

11. The ski-bob as described in claim in which the means for moving the front ski runner forwardly in a strut member pivotally connected at one end near the lower end of the rear frame section and at its other end to a point intermediate the ends of the central frame section.

12. A ski-bob comprising:

three frame sections including a front section supporting a steering assembly having a front ski runner pivotally connected to its lower end, a rear section supporting a rear ski runner at its lower end and a central frame section pivotally connected to said front and rear sections at its opposite end for movement in a common plane therewith about respective axes transverse to the plane;

releasable locking means for holding said frame sections in an operable running position with said front and rear sections generally transverse to said central section, said frame sections being foldable when said locking means are released to a position generally parallel to each other to facilitate handling of the ski-bob in a nonoperable position.

13. The ski-bob as described in claim 12 in which the pivotal connection of the central frame section to the front frame section is at such a location along the length of the front frame section, that the entire front ski runner and at least a major portion of the front frame section overlies the rear ski runner when the frame sections are folded into parallel relations.

14. The ski-bob as described in claim 13 in which at least a major portion of the central frame member overlies the rear ski runner with the rear frame section interposed between them in the folded condition of the frame members to form a compact package.

15. The ski-bob as described in claim 12 including an extensible resilient member extending between the front end of the rear ski runner and the front frame section when the sections are held in operable running condition, for holding the rear ski runner flat against the snow surface.

16. The ski-bob as described in claim 12 wherein the front frame section is provided with an attaching device for the front end of the resilient member from which the latter may be easily removed and wrapped about the folded parallel frame sections.

17. A ski-bob comprising:

a central frame section supporting a seat on a telescoping rear frame section pivotally connected to said central frame section at its upper end and pivotally connected to a rear ski runner at its lower end;

a front frame section pivotally connected to said central section;

a rotatable steering assembly supported by said front frame section having handle bars at its upper end and a front ski runner at its lower end;

and means extending between said central frame section and the lower end of said rear frame section for moving and front ski runner forwardly of said rear ski runner when a downward force is applied to said seat, said latter means for moving said front ski runner forwardly being a strut member pivotally connected at its opposite ends and extending upwardly at an angle from a point near the lower end of the rear frame section to a point between the ends of said central frame section. 

1. A foldable ski-bob comprising: a central frame section; a rear frame section pivotally connected to the rear end of said central frame section and having a rear ski runner connected to its lower end; a first releasable locking means for holding said rear frame section in a predetermined position relative to said central frame section; a front frame section pivotally connected to the front end of said central frame section for movement in a common plane therewith about an axis transverse to the plane; a second releasable locking means for holding the front end of said central frame section in a predetermined position relative to said front frame section; and a steering column with handle bars on its upper end rotatably supported by said front frame section and having a front ski runner pivotally connected to its lower end.
 2. The ski-bob as described in claim 1 wherein said second releasable locking means comprises a yoke member fixed to said front frame section and extending rearwardly therefrom, pin means on said yoke member forming the pivotal connection of the front end of said central frame section thereto and a threaded locking nut located rearward of said pin means, said nut extending through said yoke member and retained in said central frame section.
 3. The ski-bob as described in claim 1 wherein said rear frame section comprises a pair of telescoping members, and a coil spring connected to one of said telescoping means adapted to compress and resiliently resist a downward force applied to said central frame section by a rider of the ski-bob.
 4. The ski-bob as described in claim 1 wherein said front frame section comprises a hollow tubular member with said steering column extending therethrough, a lower end member fixed to the lower end of said steering column having substantially the same cross section as said hollow tubular member, and yoke means extending transversely from said tubular member and having generally a channel-shaped cross section.
 5. The ski-bob as described in claim 4 including an elongated, flexible and resilient member connected between said lower end section on said steering column and the front end of said rear ski runner.
 6. The ski-bob as described in claim 1 wherein said central frame section is bent slightly to form a rear portion that slopes downwardly in the opposite direction from an integral front portion.
 7. The ski-bob described in claim 1 including a tension spring extending between the front frame section and the front ski runner rearwardly of its pivotal connection to the front frame section.
 8. The ski-bob described in claim 1 wherein the first releasable locking means comprises a strut member pivotally connected at its lower end near the lower end of said rear frame section and releasable means for retaining its upper end on said central frame section.
 9. A foldable ski-bob comprising: a central frame section; a rear frame section pivotally connected to the rear end of said central frame section and having a rear ski runner connected to its lower end; a first releasable locking means for holding said rear frame section in a predetermined position relative to said central frame section; a front frame section pivotally connected to the front end of said central frame section; a second releasable locking means for holding the front end of said central frame section in a predetermined position relative to said front frame section; and a steering column with handle bars on its upper end rotatably supported by said front frame sEction and having a front ski runner pivotally connected to its lower end, said first releasable locking means comprising a strut member pivotally connected at its lower end near the lower end of said rear frame section and releasable latch means for retaining its upper end on said central frame section.
 10. A ski-bob comprising: a central frame section provided with a seat, a telescoping rear frame section pivotally connected to said central frame section at its upper end and pivotally connected to a rear ski runner at its lower end; said seat being supported on said rear frame section; a front frame section pivotally connected to said central section for movement in a common plane therewith about an axis transverse to the plane; a rotatable steering assembly supported by said front frame section having handle bars at its upper end and a front ski runner at its lower end; and means extending between said central frame section and the lower end of said rear frame section for moving said front ski runner forwardly of said rear ski runner when a downward force is applied to said seat.
 11. The ski-bob as described in claim 10 in which the means for moving the front ski runner forwardly in a strut member pivotally connected at one end near the lower end of the rear frame section and at its other end to a point intermediate the ends of the central frame section.
 12. A ski-bob comprising: three frame sections including a front section supporting a steering assembly having a front ski runner pivotally connected to its lower end, a rear section supporting a rear ski runner at its lower end and a central frame section pivotally connected to said front and rear sections at its opposite end for movement in a common plane therewith about respective axes transverse to the plane; releasable locking means for holding said frame sections in an operable running position with said front and rear sections generally transverse to said central section, said frame sections being foldable when said locking means are released to a position generally parallel to each other to facilitate handling of the ski-bob in a nonoperable position.
 13. The ski-bob as described in claim 12 in which the pivotal connection of the central frame section to the front frame section is at such a location along the length of the front frame section, that the entire front ski runner and at least a major portion of the front frame section overlies the rear ski runner when the frame sections are folded into parallel relations.
 14. The ski-bob as described in claim 13 in which at least a major portion of the central frame member overlies the rear ski runner with the rear frame section interposed between them in the folded condition of the frame members to form a compact package.
 15. The ski-bob as described in claim 12 including an extensible resilient member extending between the front end of the rear ski runner and the front frame section when the sections are held in operable running condition, for holding the rear ski runner flat against the snow surface.
 16. The ski-bob as described in claim 12 wherein the front frame section is provided with an attaching device for the front end of the resilient member from which the latter may be easily removed and wrapped about the folded parallel frame sections.
 17. A ski-bob comprising: a central frame section supporting a seat on a telescoping rear frame section pivotally connected to said central frame section at its upper end and pivotally connected to a rear ski runner at its lower end; a front frame section pivotally connected to said central section; a rotatable steering assembly supported by said front frame section having handle bars at its upper end and a front ski runner at its lower end; and means extending between said central frame section and the lower end of said rear frame section for moving and front ski runner forwardly of said rear ski runner when a downward force is applied to said sEat, said latter means for moving said front ski runner forwardly being a strut member pivotally connected at its opposite ends and extending upwardly at an angle from a point near the lower end of the rear frame section to a point between the ends of said central frame section. 